Origin Story

The Friendship Paddle was created in 2003. Doug McFadden, a 39 year old father of two children (ages 6 and 8) had been diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. Unbeknownst to Doug, a large gathering of friends was organized, some from as far away as New York, to show their love and support for Doug during a lunch in his honor. The lunch was quite moving for Doug and several friends wanted to continue this type of support for Doug and his family. But what does one do for a friend fighting to experience the second half of his adult life?
When you grow up in Santa Barbara the ocean plays a big part in your life so it makes sense that friends have shared unforgettable, joyful experiences with you in the ocean. Watermen take to the ocean for soul searching, challenge and escape. For those looking to lift Doug up and infuse strength into his battle with cancer they took to the ocean.

That's when the light went off. Get a group of friends together to paddle across the channel in part to raise funds for Doug and his young family but also to show the support he needed to fight his disease. With the help of Tad Smyth, John Mosby, Mark Ingalls and Steve Berkus as team captains and Dave Kronen, Jay Stryker and Dave Ingalls as support crew they set out to organize 50 paddlers for the 24 mile crossing. Boats, food, t-shirts, rash guards and board shorts were donated and a large party of family and friends mobilized to celebrate Doug's life at the finish on Hope Ranch Beach.

The plan was to put teams of paddlers on separate boats and relay paddle across the channel. The boats crossed to Forney's Cove the day before, rafted up and a party broke out. Paul Kuhn cooked fresh scallops the size of silver dollars, kids lucky enough to get invited fished, guys paddled around the cove or kayaked to the beach and some went for an island hike, but everyone felt a love swirling through the air.

For Doug's paddle the weather forecast was for typically strong winds with big swells in the upper channel but the weather gods cleared the channel for an epic, calm and beautiful day . The boat captains commented how unusually tranquil the channel was for this most important crossing. We knew it calmed for Doug.

The landing that day changed lives. Gathering sand at Forney's Cove on the west end of Santa Cruz Island, dodging container ships in the shipping lanes and paddling 24 miles all the way to the beach, it was an epic journey. Not just for Doug McFadden and his wife and kids, but for every person there showering Doug and his family with love. After the all day paddle every person there felt deep emotion witnessing Doug make the last leg to the beach with his son, 4 brothers and Jeff Chase paddling next to him.

And so began The Friendship Paddle.